US President Donald Trump late Friday called on Israel to “immediately stop bombing Gaza” after Hamas responded to his peace plan to the end war.
“Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.
The US president added that this was not about Gaza alone. “This is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East,” he added.
Trump’s comments came shortly after Hamas delivered its response to his 20-point peace plan, which garnered public approval from dozens of countries, including leading Arab and Muslim nations.
In a statement, Hamas welcomed the plan but requested additional clarifications on some of its points, raising questions about whether it approved the draft or not. The group said it would agree to release all Israeli hostages, both living and dead, and affirmed that it was ready to immediately engage, via mediators, to discuss the plan.
Hamas also said it would agree to hand over rule of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body made up of independent technocrats. Still, it made no mention of disarming, which is a key US and Israeli demand.
Trump earlier Friday provided a deadline for Hamas to answer by Sunday or else ”all HELL” would break out.
Countries, US lawmakers react
Qatar welcomed the announcement by Hamas of its agreement to Trump’s plan. “We also affirm our support for the statements made by the President calling for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate the safe and swift release of hostages, and to achieve rapid results that would put an end to the bloodshed of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” Doha said in a statement from its Foreign Ministry.
Qatar added that it had begun working with Egypt and Washington to continue discussions on the plan to end the war.
Egypt said it hoped the positive developments would lead all parties to implement the plan.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza were now within reach. “ Hamas’ commitment must be followed up without delay,” he said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was encouraged by the response from Hamas and urged all parties to “seize the opportunity” to bring the Gaza war to an end.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has been a critic of the way Israel has waged its war, said the war must end. “Too many people have been killed and injured, and peace is badly needed,” she said posting the Hamas response to Trump’s plan.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch defender of the way Israel has conducted the war and a close ally of Trump, said the Hamas response was “in essence, a rejection by Hamas” of Trump’s plan.
Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat, said he was an “unapologetic supporter of Israel.” But he hailed Trump in a post on X: ”Politics aside, credit to @POTUS’ peace plan to get to this encouraging point.”
Comments About This Article
Please fill the fields below.